Naples Children & Education Foundation
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  - - Mar. 182025
      NCEF awards over $34M to nearly 50 non-profits in Collier County
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      A record year of grants by Naples Children & Education Foundation: $34 mill...
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Jan. 242025

9

We are proud to invest a record $34 million in clo

We are proud to invest a record $34 million in close to 50 non-profit organizations supporting underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County! This year’s investment in future generations includes funding traditional grants of $6.7 million and $16.5 million for NCEF multi-year strategic initiatives that fill fundamental gaps in local children’s services, plus another $2.9 million in future projects and strategic initiatives. In addition to funding traditional grants and multi-year strategic initiatives, NCEF has invested $8 million in a new Early Learning Enrichment and Expansion Program to drive systemic change in Collier County, ensuring more children in the community have access to high-quality education.

Through @lighthouseofcollier children's programs,

Through @lighthouseofcollier children's programs, youth living with blindness and vision impairment gain the skills and confidence they need to live independently and thrive. As an NCEF Vision Initiative partner, they are committed to providing essential support at every stage of development.
From infancy through young adulthood, these programs focus on education, mobility, socialization and career readiness, ensuring each child is equipped for success. Early intervention helps babies develop essential skills, school-age children build independence and teens prepare for the workforce through real-world experiences.
Each year, a structured summer camp brings these lessons to life, giving students hands-on opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in a supportive environment. Together, we are breaking barriers and empowering children with vision impairment to navigate their world with confidence.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

Happy First Day of Spring! May you be inspired by

Happy First Day of Spring! May you be inspired by the hope and renewal found in this beautiful season.

Happy Wine Wednesday! Today we are featuring one o

Happy Wine Wednesday! Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Futures Uncorked! 🍾 Hosted by: Debbi & Bill Cary with Kristine & Chris Williams. Vintner: Florent Fresse of Château Léoville Las Cases in Saint-Julien, France. Chef: @oakes_nancy of Boulevard in San Francisco, California. Event Planning: Margaret Events. Cheers!

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s G

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s Grant Awards Ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón!
With the incredible support of our community and donors, the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, has invested over $34 million in nearly 50 nonprofits supporting underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County.
This year’s investment includes $8 million to expand and enrich early learning opportunities, ensuring more children have access to high-quality education. Your generosity fuels meaningful change, strengthening our community for generations to come. It’s ALL for the Kids! Thank you to our Grant Awards Ceremony partner @goldmansachs 💙 Click the link in our bio to read the Press Release.

In 2022, 269 children were identified with visual

In 2022, 269 children were identified with visual difficulties—269 children who may have struggled to read a book, see the board in class or navigate their world with confidence.
Clear vision is more than just sight—it’s education, independence and opportunity. When a child can’t see properly, learning becomes a challenge, confidence can take a hit and simple tasks feel overwhelming. But with proper vision care, these children can thrive in school, engage with their peers and build a brighter future.
Every child deserves the vision care they need to learn, grow and succeed. Let’s keep making a difference.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and

Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and reach their full potential. NCEF’s Vision Initiative is committed to ensuring that children from low-income families receive the vision care they need to succeed.
Through @bascompalmereye students in Collier County’s low socio-economic schools receive vision screenings, comprehensive exams and two pairs of glasses if needed. When tertiary care is required, children are referred to an ophthalmologist either at Bascom Palmer or through partner @floridalionseyeclinic
Children with extreme vision loss are referred to @lighthouseofcollier whose children's programs empower youth living with blindness and vision impairment to increase their independence through experiences, education and socialization.
By working together, our partners strive to prevent students and children from falling through any cracks.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

Everyone at NCEF was honored that our CEO, Maria J

Everyone at NCEF was honored that our CEO, Maria Jimenez-Lara, was featured on @kellyclarksonshow in Kelly’s "What I'm Liking" segment on March 4th! It was truly special to see our story shared on a national stage, highlighting the power of our community coming together to support children in need.
A huge thank you to everyone who continues to make this life-changing work possible!
If you missed it, you can watch the clip by clicking the link in our bio or searching “The Kelly Clarkson Show Naples Children & Education Foundation” on YouTube.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #KellyClarksonShow #WhatImLiking #25YearsofImpact

Happy Wine Wednesday! Today we are featuring one o

Happy Wine Wednesday! Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Sailing from the Past to the Present to the Future ⛵️ Hosted by: Sue & Mike Bieker with Libby & Rick Germain. Honored Vintners: Constance & Louis-Michel Liger-Belair of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair in Burgundy, France and Vintner: Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, California. Chef: Cassidee Dabney of The Barn at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. Event Planning: Margaret Events in Naples, FL. Cheers!

Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and

Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and succeed. Through Blueprint Partner, @bascompalmereye vision care program, students in Collier County’s low socio-economic schools receive the essential eye care they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
In just four years, they have served 22,000 students from grades K-12, providing screenings, comprehensive exams, glasses and specialized tertiary care—all at no cost to families. Since 2020, 6,024 students have received two pairs of prescription glasses, and 1,292 have been referred for advanced care.
With funding from NCEF, they were able to launch of a mobile vision van, which brings critical eye care directly to children in Immokalee, East Naples and beyond, ensuring more students than ever get the treatment they need.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

Clear Vision, Brighter Future! Did you know that u

Clear Vision, Brighter Future! Did you know that up to 85% of academically and behaviorally at-risk children have undetected or untreated vision problems? Yet, 2 out of 3 kids in the U.S. don’t receive preventative eye care before starting school.
For low-income and minority children, the barriers to vision care—lack of funding, access and follow-up treatment—put them at even greater risk. Without proper vision, learning becomes a struggle.
That’s why, through NCEF’s Vision Initiative, we are working to bridge this gap—identifying needs, providing screenings and ensuring children get the treatment they deserve. Because every child deserves to see their future clearly.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #VisionInitiative #StrategicInitiatives #BlueprintPartners #vision

In Case You Missed It! ✨ I was honored to be fea

In Case You Missed It! ✨ I was honored to be featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show in Kelly’s "What I'm Liking" segment on March 4th! It was truly special to bring our story to a national stage and highlight the power of our community coming together to support children in need. Thank you to everyone who continues to make this life-changing work possible!
If you missed it, you can click the link in our bio, or watch the clip on The Kelly Clarkson Show’s YouTube page!